The Oklahoma Bar Journal March 2024

to the committee. The committee approved 90 claims, denied 66 claims and continued seven claims into the following year for further investigation. In 2023, the Clients’ Security Fund paid a total of $210,784.10 on 90 approved claims.

Enforcement. In 2023, the Office of the General Counsel took formal action in three matters. Formal action included issuing cease and desist letters, initiat ing formal investigations through the lawyer discipline process, referring a case to an appropriate state and/ or federal enforcement agency or filing the appropri ate district court action. Six matters were closed after corrective action was taken, and the remainder of the matters remain under investigation. CLIENTS’ SECURITY FUND The Clients’ Security Fund was established in 1965 by Court Rules of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The fund is administered by the Clients’ Security Fund Committee, which is comprised of 17 members, 14 law yer members and three nonlawyers, who are appointed in staggered three-year terms by the OBA president with approval from the Board of Governors. In 2023, the committee was chaired by lawyer member Micheal Salem, Norman. Chairman Salem has served as chair of the Clients’ Security Fund Committee since 2006. The fund establishes a means of reimbursement to clients for financial losses occasioned by dishonest acts of lawyers. It is also intended to protect the reputation of lawyers in general from the consequences of the dishonest acts of a very few. The Board of Governors budgets and appro priates $175,000 each year to the Clients’ Security Fund for payment of approved claims. In years when the approved amount exceeds the amount available, the amount approved for each claimant will be reduced in proportion on a pro rata basis until the total amount paid for all claims in that year is equal to the amount available for disbursement. The Office of the General Counsel reviews, investigates and presents the claims to the committee. In 2023, the Office of the General Counsel presented 163 claims

CIVIL ACTIONS (NON-DISCIPLINE) INVOLVING THE OBA The Office of the General Counsel represented the Oklahoma Bar Association in several civil (non-discipline) matters during 2023. Several cases carried forward into 2024. The following is a summary of all civil actions against or involving the Oklahoma Bar Association in 2023: a complaint on March 5, 2021. Rose named 10 defendants and “Does 1-25,” including the Oklahoma Bar Association and an assistant gen eral counsel. Jones alleged that the Oklahoma Bar Association failed to achieve her son’s legal goals. To date, the Oklahoma Bar Association has not been served. This matter was transferred to Kay County District Judge Turner. Alberta Rose Jones v. Eric Bayat, et al. , Lincoln County District Court No. CJ-2022-27. Rose filed a petition on Feb. 25, 2022, against 11 named defendants and 10 “Doe” defendants. The petition alleged the Oklahoma Bar Association ignored Open Records Act requests and her dissatisfaction with the resolution of bar grievances. The Oklahoma Bar Association filed a motion to dismiss on March 23, 2022. On April 11, 2022, this matter was transferred to Payne County District Judge Corley. This matter is set for the disposition docket on May 2, 2024. Rigsby v. Burkhulter, et al. , United States District Alberta Rose Jones v. Eric Bayat, et al. , Lincoln County District Court No. CJ-2021-21. Rose filed

Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Case No. CIV-22-287. Rigsby filed a complaint against multiple defendants, including the Oklahoma Bar Association, on Oct. 7, 2022.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL